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Direct TV local DTV

1645 Views 20 Replies 7 Participants Last post by CardiacArrest, Jan 23, 2008

ledgerat

Discussion Starter · Jan 21, 2008

I'm curious if anyone has an informed opinion about this:

Next year, all local OTA channels will be broadcasting totally in digital. Currently, if you are a subscriber to Direct TV, you have to have the digital receiver and pay a monthly fee for HD programming. If you are paying for local channels, can they legally "dumb them down" to analog-type channel, if you are on a basic-non-HD tier?

I understand that you might still need the digital receiver, but can they force you to pay fees for all the HD programming, when you already are paying for access to the local channels, which would be exclusively digital at that time. Any thoughts?

I hope that made sense

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CPanther95

· #2 · Jan 21, 2008

All programming delivered by DirecTV is digital and requires a digital converter anyway. They don't charge extra for local HD channels, so it will have no impact on your bill.

ledgerat

Discussion Starter · #3 · Jan 21, 2008

Maybe this is more clear to what I am asking....currently my locals have their standard channels and their HD channels...if the standard channel goes bye-bye next year, won't they be just be broadcasting in HD? If my TV can pick up that HD channel OTA, wouldn't a satellite/cable service (that gives you local channels) have to send them along in the same format or can they legally drop quality to just "plain" digital? To me if you are paying to receive your local channels, I would think they have to give it in the format that the locals are broadcasting in...and maybe just not give you any of the subchannels unless you paid for the HD package.

Or maybe I'm just over-thinking it.

CPanther95

· #4 · Jan 21, 2008

If you're asking if the Sat/Cable companies will be forced to upgrade all your boxes to HD boxes, the answer is no. You are still responsible for upgrading your TV and receiving equipment to HD if you wish to receive HD. The government is only concerned with your access to the local affiliate in standard definition - even after we fully transition to digital broadcasts.

ledgerat

Discussion Starter · #5 · Jan 21, 2008

OK...i just wasn't sure if there was some FCC regulation that if the broadcast company transmits exclusively in HD.....(and you pay for that channel)...that the provider was forced to give it to you in the same format/quality.

So, a cable/satellite provider can offer a channel they receive as HD, in a non-HD format, if they choose to (and the broadcaster agrees, i assume).

I don't mind, I don't have my HDTV yet anyways...Just hoping I can get OTA DTV locals as well as the analog signals I get now, without having to go with an external antennae (the wife doesn't want it on the house). I'll just wait 'til the converter boxes are available to make my decision. Thanks.

CPanther95

· #6 · Jan 21, 2008

Quote:
Originally Posted by ledgerat /forum/post/12883880

So, a cable/satellite provider can offer a channel they receive as HD, in a non-HD format, if they choose to (and the broadcaster agrees, i assume).

Not exactly. Technically, it would be you that is choosing the non-HD format by not getting HD capable equipment.

The FCC is concerned with people getting local affiliates even if they have an old 12" B&W TV. People that want HD need to get an HDTV and an HD tuner.

CardiacArrest

· #7 · Jan 21, 2008

Just as an aside, I currently do not pay DirectTV the $10 HD Access Fee and I get my local channels on my HR-20 (HD Receiver from DirectTV, no HD DVR right now).

ledgerat

Discussion Starter · #8 · Jan 21, 2008

Quote:
Just as an aside, I currently do not pay DirectTV the $10 HD Access Fee and I get my local channels on my HR-20

Did you get the receiver from D*? I thought if you wanted that receiver you had to pay the access fee automatically (like they assume you want the HD package if you want the receiver.)....can you request that receiver and not pay for the HD access from them? Is that what you did?

ledgerat

Discussion Starter · #9 · Jan 21, 2008

Quote:
Not exactly. Technically, it would be you that is choosing the non-HD format by not getting HD capable equipment.

Then, from what you know, is cardiacarrest accurate, that as long as I have their HD receiver (and a shiny new HDTV), that I should get the locals HD without paying an additional monthly HD access fee?

CPanther95

· #10 · Jan 21, 2008

If you can swing no access fee, then yes - there's no extra charge for local HD channels.

However, the access fee is supposed to be tied to the hardware, not the programming.

ledgerat

Discussion Starter · #11 · Jan 21, 2008

OK.....its just kind of amazing that next year you will be getting a worse quality product by paying for it than getting it free. Basic satellite-about $30...but no HD locals.....vs....OTA-free...HD local...

CPanther95

· #12 · Jan 21, 2008

You'll still have the same OTA options that you have now. Free OTA will still be Free OTA after 2009.

ledgerat

Discussion Starter · #13 · Jan 21, 2008

Thats very debatable IMO....at least in the sense of this.....currently I can get all my locals analog...even if a little fuzzy...or pay for cable/satellite, get a basic package, get my locals and some others..much better quality of image.

Next year...based on where I am in relation to the broadcast towers...surrounding hills and structures, etc.....I may get little to no OTA channels (I hope I'm wrong and they will all still come in)....many many people in the US will be in the same boat. Choices: Get my converter box and pay additional for an external antenna and labor to mount it.......get cable (not available to me)...or basic satellite. Either way its gonna cost more than it does right now....not really "free" next year...not gonna be the same options....gonna cost a lot of people something....not a good timing for the transition, if a recession hits....gonna possibly be lots of upset people.

DrDon

· #14 · Jan 21, 2008

Quote:
Originally Posted by ledgerat /forum/post/12883002

... wouldn't a satellite/cable service (that gives you local channels) have to send them along in the same format or can they legally drop quality to just "plain" digital?

IIRC, it's up to each broadcaster to decide whether or not to allow cable and sat companies to downconvert their signals as part of their retransmission agreements.

GregLee

· #15 · Jan 21, 2008

Quote:
Originally Posted by ledgerat /forum/post/12884792

Then, from what you know, is cardiacarrest accurate, that as long as I have their HD receiver (and a shiny new HDTV), that I should get the locals HD without paying an additional monthly HD access fee?

If you have the HD DVR Plus programming package, I think you are counted as paying the HD access fee, even though it may not show up on your bill as a separate item. I do get HD locals, that's the package I have, and there is no HD access fee on my bill. However, I noticed using the D* online system that after I made a change to my programming, a box showing the status of HD access got checked, even though there was no subsequent change in my bill. I hope I'm being clear -- there seems to be some confusion about whether an HD access fee is actually being charged. If you're getting any HD, presumably it is being charged, in some sense, so you should get HD locals. I think.

CPanther95

· #16 · Jan 21, 2008

Quote:
Originally Posted by ledgerat /forum/post/12886295

Thats very debatable IMO....at least in the sense of this.....currently I can get all my locals analog...even if a little fuzzy...or pay for cable/satellite, get a basic package, get my locals and some others..much better quality of image.

Next year...based on where I am in relation to the broadcast towers...surrounding hills and structures, etc.....I may get little to no OTA channels (I hope I'm wrong and they will all still come in)....many many people in the US will be in the same boat. Choices: Get my converter box and pay additional for an external antenna and labor to mount it.......get cable (not available to me)...or basic satellite. Either way its gonna cost more than it does right now....not really "free" next year...not gonna be the same options....gonna cost a lot of people something....not a good timing for the transition, if a recession hits....gonna possibly be lots of upset people.

I thought you were talking about HD channels. There will be no change.

But the transition will certainly cost consumers that are going from analog to digital, that's been known since the 90's when they put forth this plan.

ledgerat

Discussion Starter · #17 · Jan 21, 2008

Cpanther95,

RE:HD channels....I agree....I think DrDon answered some of my question...it sounds like its up to the retransmission agreement whether a channel can be down converted.....and I'm sure most locals want the widest audience possible.

tonybradley

· #18 · Jan 22, 2008

This has been the most confusing threads I've ever read.

ncxcstud

· #19 · Jan 22, 2008

it sounds like the OP is confused....HD signals are digital, but digital signals do not have to be HD quality...

Getting your channels OTA, you'll still be able to receive them as long as you have a digital TV/digital tuner. They aren't sending a 'lesser' quality signal at all. You'll still receive the channel whether it's in HD or not. For example, I have one of the component outputs connected to my SDTV from my D* receiver. I can still watch every channel, it's just down-converted (through the box) to 480i...

BTW - in simponsville, you *should* be in the Greenville/Spartanburg DMA, which DirecTV already provides local HD channels for...so...what are you worried about?

ledgerat

Discussion Starter · #20 · Jan 23, 2008

Quote:
Originally Posted by ncxcstud /forum/post/12893015

it sounds like the OP is confused....HD signals are digital, but digital signals do not have to be HD quality...

No, not confused about HD/digital, but definitely not articulating what I meant.

I think somewhere in there they straightened me out.

Basically it was this: I can pick up HD quality signal OTA for free on an HDTV (with tuner), but on my satellite I can only pick up standard digital quality, unless I get the HD box and pay the fee.

I wanted to know if it was legal for them to require an additional monthly fee for access to the HD quality part of the signal when (at least next year) thats all that will be broadcast by those locals.

From reading here and other parts of the site, I now understand two things:

the government only cares about you having access to the locals, but does not regulate the quality of signal (other than it will be digital), and second: that much of this is also determined by contracts between the broadcaster and provider. Correct?

Sorry that this has been confusing! But thanks for everyones help!

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